ISU vs. Carleton College

Comparable Facts

Compare Iowa State University in Ames, IA with Carleton College in Northfield, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Iowa State University is larger than Carleton College based on total student enrollment (30,380 students vs. 2,128 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Iowa State University is located in Ames, IA (Small City setting); Carleton College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
• Iowa State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Iowa State University 18:1; Carleton College 8:1.

ISU vs. Carleton College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or Carleton College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Iowa State University than Carleton College ($17,779 vs. $28,047).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Iowa State University are 38.5% lower than at Carleton College ($10,808 vs. $17,586).
• Carleton College is 538.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than ISU (about $58,105 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $10,787.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 138.5% higher at Carleton College than at Iowa State University (about $40,011 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $28,881.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Iowa State University than at Carleton College (77% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carleton College students is 426.8% larger than aid received by Iowa State University students ($56,846 vs. $10,791).

ISU vs. Carleton College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ISU or Carleton College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Carleton College and ISU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carleton College (1510) is 270 points higher than at ISU (1240).
• Incoming Carleton College students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 24 at ISU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 1120/1360; Carleton College 1450/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 21/28; Carleton College 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; Carleton College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Carleton College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carleton College students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at ISU (3.7).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.7%) than Carleton College (20.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at ISU vs. 34.8% at Carleton College.

ISU vs. Carleton College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and Carleton College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Carleton College's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Iowa State University's (68%).
• Graduates from Carleton College earn a median of about $11,900 more per year than ISU graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,600 vs. $53,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Carleton College graduates have a $4,368 lower median loan debt than ISU graduates ($19,500 vs. $23,868).
• Among borrowers, Carleton College graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ISU graduates ($201 vs. $246).
• More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ISU students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 74%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.